Negotiation
How to Double Your Professional Development Budget
- by Holly Burton
Yep, you read that right: Double. Your. Budget.
And the best part? It's easy! Just six super simple steps, and you can try 'em out as soon as you finish reading this article.
Let's imagine there's an amazing course you want to take next year that'll make you more valuable at work. Let's say it's -- I don't know -- The Game Changing Year.
Here's how you'd double your budget:
Step 1: The Pitch
Walk into your boss' office (or book a meeting first; you do you) and say:
"Hey Boss, there's this amazing course I want to take next year that I think will help me... [Choose Any 3 of The Following Program-Specific Benefits]:"
- Understand the needs of the business
- Level-up my strategic thinking
- Learn business skills & frameworks
- Communicate to influence decision makers
- Create results that matter for the business
Step 2: The Deets
Tell them just the high-level details: the timeline and what type of learning you'll get:
"The program runs every two weeks from March through December and I get classes, group coaching, and accountability buddies every month"
Step 3: The Cost & The Ask
Tell them what it costs -- and propose how you could fund it with leftover budget:
"It costs $1980 and they have flexible payment schedules. I was wondering if we had any leftover budget that you're trying to spend by the end of the year that we could put towards my enrollment."
Step 4: They Say Yes
I mean, obviously right?
You're amazing, this pitch is amazing, and The Game Changing Year is amazing.
Any boss would say yes to this combo!
Step 5: Surprise! It's Ask #2
This is where you double your budget! Ask to apply next year's budget to the program too!
"Great! And do you think I could use some of next year's professional development budget in January to cover the rest of the cost of the program?"
Step 6: Celebrate & Sign Up!
You win! Woo hoo! Great job!
Celebrate by buying yourself a sugary-sweet holiday-themed beverage and then hit up the GCY page and sign up (or whatever other program you pitched your boss)!
The Most Important Thing To Get Right
Now, WIMDIs, other than the end-of-year timing and surprise ask #2, the key parts of this pitch are the three program-specific benefits you list in part 1.
You want to make sure that your three benefits are:
- Concise (less than 5 words each, if you can)
- Focused on how your boss would benefit (not how you would!)
We need to make sure your boss can see why it's an amazing deal for them -- and that means it has to be both targeted at their needs and concise enough that all your excellent reasons aren't buried under an avalanche of words.
Here are some examples (good and bad) to help you get it right:
Bad:
- "It will help me come up with better ideas"
- "It will help me learn how to be confident"
Good:
- "It will teach me how to propose strategic ideas that make our department look great"
- "It will help me confidently sell your vision across the company"
See How Easy It Is?
You could totally do this!
Just fill in the blank spots, have the 5-minute converation and *BOOM* you could be walking out of your boss' office with a cool couple of hundred (or thousand!) bucks to use on training.
So, WIMDIs, here's some homework for you:
Homework:
Book a spot in your boss' calendar and ask for them to fund something -- anything -- to help your professional development next year
Give it a shot!
The worst they can do is say no, and then you'll have exactly the same budget as you have now anyways.
And Psst: In Case You Haven't Gotten The Subtle Hints
You could totally use literally exactly this pitch to get funding to join The Game Changing Year.
Join The Game Changing Year and:
- Influence Decision Makers so they back you and your projects
- Get Control over how your work is perceived
- Expand Your Confidence through self-awareness and bold action
- Take a Big Step Up in your career level, responsibilities, and visibility
Good luck doubling your professional development budget WIMDIs! I'm rooting for you!
